Sports | Men's Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Former Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin (right) smiles as he is introduced as Cal’s new coach at a press conference Tuesday in Berkeley, Calif.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Vols coach accepts Cal job

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 15, 2014

The Cuonzo Martin Experiment at Tennessee is over.

Chris Walker attempts a shot during Florida’s 79-68 win in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament against UCLA on March 27 in FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Walker to return for sophomore season

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 9, 2014

Chris Walker will stay in Gainesville for another year.

Connecticut guard Lasan Kromah cuts down the net after beating Kentucky 60-54 at the NCAA Tournament championship game Monday in Arlington, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Connecticut defeats Kentucky to win title

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 7, 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas — After Kentucky guard Andrew Harrison’s desperation three-point attempt clanked off the rim, Connecticut's Ryan Boatright grabbed the defensive board, dribbled down the court and spiked the ball in celebration as the buzzer sounded.

Scottie Wilbekin, left, drives past Connecticut guard Ryan Boatright during the first half of Florida’s 63-52 loss to UConn on Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Wilbekin scored four points while recording one assist to three turnovers against the Huskies.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin struggles in Final Four matchup against Connecticut

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 6, 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas — Scottie Wilbekin had every reason to perform well Saturday against UConn.

Patric Young (4) goes after a loose ball during the second half of Florida’s 63-53 loss to Connecticut in the NCAA Final Four tournament on April 4 in Arlington, Texas. UF will face UConn on Jan. 3.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Young shows maturity, fight in Florida's Final Four matchup despite loss

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 6, 2014

“I love being in school right now. I like getting my education. I’m learning more from coach (Billy Donovan) and he’s got a lot to offer me. He’s going to help develop me so when I go to the NBA, I’ll already be ready and teams won’t have to worry about developing me anymore.”

Florida’s starters huddle prior to the start of Florida’s win over Dayton on March 29 in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF's growth defines streak

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 6, 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas — Now that the Gators’ season is officially over, let’s put their 30-game winning streak in perspective.

Florida center Patric Young (4) drives to the basket past Connecticut forward DeAndre Daniels (2) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four tournament game on Saturday in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

'GUYS THAT WERE REALLY WILLING TO BLEED FOR ONE ANOTHER' — Gators reflect on loss, teamwork

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 5, 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas — This Gators team had all the pieces to win the program’s first national title since 2007. It had the depth, experience, chemistry and talent to make that goal a reality.

Dorian Finney-Smith (right) guards Kentucky's Julius Randle during the Gators' 61-60 win against the Wildcats on March 16 in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Previewing the competition: Looking at Florida's opponents in the Final Four

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 3, 2014

No. 7 seed Connecticut (30-8)

Scottie Wilbekin calls out a play during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Wilbekin was in the locker room with a high ankle sprain when Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier hit his buzzer-beater shot to top Florida 65-64 on Dec. 2.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

They meet again: UF and UConn face off in Final Four matchup

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 3, 2014

UConn point guard Shabazz Napier was on a mission.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan’s patience pays dividends throughout career

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 3, 2014

Billy Donovan was not sent from heaven to coach Florida’s basketball team. He is no miracle worker, magic healer or instant fix. On Saturday, he and the No. 1 seeded Gators will appear in their fourth Final Four in 14 seasons, but it took years for Donovan to turn water into wine.

UConn guard Shabazz Napier hoists the East Regional trophy after his team’s 60-54 win against Michigan State on Sunday in New York.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF gearing for UConn guard Napier

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 2, 2014

Shabazz Napier has more All-Conference First-Team selections than Scottie Wilbekin. He has more career points than Patric Young and Will Yeguete combined. He had more minutes on the court in just his freshman year than Casey Prather had in nearly three years of action.

Connecticut forward DeAndre Daniels (2) dunks against Michigan State on Sunday in Madison Square Garden in New York.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Huskies forward Daniels thriving in NCAA Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 2, 2014

When people talk about Connecticut, the attention generally focuses on Shabazz Napier — the Huskies’ leading scorer and one of the most dynamic talents in the nation. But another player on UConn coach Kevin Ollie’s roster has stepped up in a big way for his team in the postseason.

Billy Donovan looks on during Florida’s 79-68 win against UCLA on Thursday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. Donovan will coach in his fourth Final Four when Florida faces UConn on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan keeping players calm as they enter Final Four

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 31, 2014

Billy Donovan has seen his team accomplish a lot this season.

Scottie Wilbekin calls out a play to his teammates during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum. Wilbekin was named the Most Outstanding Player of the South Region of the NCAA Tournament after the Gators defeated the Flyers.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Wilbekin provides leadership to Final Four-bound Gators

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All eyes were on Scottie Wilbekin as the clock ticked.

Patric Young prepares to shoot during Florida’s 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida defense key in victory

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 30, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — No. 1 seed Florida’s defense looked as stout as ever heading into halftime against No. 11 seed Dayton on Saturday.

Will Yeguete jumps on teammate Patric Young's back in celebration following Florida's 62-52 win against Dayton on Saturday in FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

FINALLY: Florida handles Dayton 62-52 to reach first Final Four since 2007

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 29, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As Scottie Wilbekin dribbled out the final seconds remaining on the clock, Patric Young held his head in disbelief while Will Yeguete embraced him. At the same time, Casey Prather yelled a cry of joy, bolting to the floor and then chest-bumping teammate Dorian Finney-Smith.

Kasey Hill looks to pass the ball during Florida's 79-68 win over UCLA on Thursday in the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Hill recorded a game-high 10 assists against the Bruins.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida bench to play key role in Elite Eight against Dayton

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Mar. 28, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Heading into its Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA on Thursday in Memphis, Tenn., Florida’s bench struggled to contribute consistently during the early part of the postseason.

(From left) UF coach Billy Donovan and Gators starters Michael Frazier II, Casey Prather, Scottie Wilbekin, Will Yeguete and Patric Young speak during Florida’s Elite Eight media session on Friday in the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida looking to avoid upset against deep Dayton squad in Elite Eight

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 28, 2014

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Billy Donovan and the Gators know a thing or two about shattering glass slippers.

Billy Donovan looks onto the court during Florida’s 71-66 win against Auburn on Feb. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Donovan and the Gators will play the Bruins tonight at 9:45 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF hopes history repeats against UCLA

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Mar. 26, 2014

During the heyday of the Florida Gators basketball program, coach Billy Donovan strung together 18 straight postseason wins — the most in the NCAA since John Wooden’s UCLA squad conquered 28 in a row en route to seven consecutive championships back in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

UCLA’s Kyle Anderson (5) touches hands with a fan after defeating Stephen F. Austin 77-60 in a third-round game of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night in San Diego.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UCLA point forward poses threat to UF

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 25, 2014

When UCLA’s Kyle Anderson takes the ball down the court, he usually towers over his primary defender.